Sunday, June 1, 2014

The students have made great progress this year in reading. To show of their reading, each first grade class learned one Readers' Theater to perform for their families and peers. Then, the entire first grade performed one Readers' Theater together with their teachers and families joining in.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Friday we had our annual school-wide Polar Express Day. The day started out with a holiday sing-along in the cafeteria. We then went to the library where the office staff and specialty teachers did a Readers' Theater version of The Polar Express. The students were then treated to hot chocolate. All of first grade joined us in our class to watch the movie as well - a very rare treat for the kids. And, of course, I read the story to my class and we created a Story Map together to identify the story elements. Below are some pictures from our day:

The pictures below were taken to go on The Polar Express train ornament that the teachers make for the students each year. Fellow teachers, I didn't get a picture of the one we made this year, but if you are interested, you can see an example here from a previous year. We also have the students a bell necklace as a connection to the story.

Saturday, June 1, 2013

To showcase their reading skills, we held an end-of-year Readers' Theater Performance. Each first grade class learned their own Readers' Theater from the You Read to Me, I'll Read to You series. All of the classes then joined together for a reading of Jack and Jill. For the final Readers' Theater, parents were asked to join in.

Friday, December 21, 2012

Our annual Polar Express Day began with a school-wide sing-along. The students had fun shaking their jingle bells (a gift from the teachers to the students) along with the music. Then all of first grade joined us in our class to watch The Polar Express. After lunch, the students were read The Polar Express in a Reader's Theater style thanks to our admin staff and specials staff. They were also treated to hot chocolate. We then went back to the room to read the book. Each student received a keepsake photo on a black train to help them remember the special day. And, yes, we did it all in our pajamas!

Sunday, June 3, 2012

As a way to demonstrate their reading accomplishments at the end of the year, we always hold an End of Year Readers' Theater. Each class learned a Readers' Theater from You Read to Me, I'll Read to You by Mary Ann Hoberman which they read for their families and available staff. The entire grade also read a readers' theater together followed by one with their families. Readers' Theaters are a great way for students to practice and showcase their reading.

Friday, June 3, 2011

To celebrate all of the accomplishments the students have made in reading over this school year, the students performed various Reader's Theaters for their family and friends. This is a podcast of their performance of "The End."

To celebrate all of the accomplishments the students have made in reading over this school year, the students performed various Reader's Theaters for their family and friends. This is a podcast of their performance of "Jack and Jill."

To celebrate all of the accomplishments the students have made in reading over this school year, the students performed various Reader's Theaters for their family and friends. This is a podcast of their performance of "The Three Little Pigs."

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Thank you to all of the parents and families who were able to attend the First Grade End-of-Year Reader's Theater Performance. The students have worked so hard this year to improve their reading and it really showed today. Below are a few pictures from the performance. In case you missed the performance, the students have been working on creating a podcast of "The Three Little Pigs" which they performed at the Reader's Theater Performance. Their recording will be posted within the next few days once they are finished.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Please join us for performances of various Readers’ Theaters by your students. Reader’s Theaters are short plays, typically without costumes or props, that are written to help students’ reading development. They have been an important part of our reading work this year as we practiced fluent reading.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Fellow teachers, several of you have asked how we do the podcasting in our class. At first I wasn't sure I could do this either, but Moseley's technology facilitator, Sharon Thornton, showed me that it wasn't as hard as I thought. Mrs. Thornton can explain it better than I ever could and has already done so at her technology integration site. She has examples of how to use podcasting in your classroom, steps to think about before you start, and step-by-step directions on how to create and implement your podcasts. She also has directions for how to download and use the recording software Audacity. She also has several options listed of sites that can host your podcasts. The podcasting host that I use is PodBean. While you are at her site, check out all of the other great resources and downloadable directions that she has shared - she's amazing!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Below are the podcasts of the end of year reader's theater presentations. The students recorded "The Three Little Pigs" in the computer lab using Audacity software, with the help of our technology facilitator. The students were so excited about their recording that we decided to record the other two in class.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

You're Invited! As a reminder, the first grade classes are hosting a reader's theater presentation this Friday, the 28th, beginning at 2:30PM in the cafeteria. Each class will perform their own short play followed but a couple of reader's theaters performed by the entire grade. Please join us as the students showcase and celebrate all of their reading accomplishments!

About Me

I am currently in my ninth year teaching at Moseley Elementary in Grand Prairie, TX. I previously taught First Grade for six years and am currently in my third year teaching Visual Arts. I use Bishop's Blackboard to share ideas from my classroom and other sources.